Drifters Escape

I've had the music done for around 3 weeks but (as usual) couldn't think of any lyrics.

So I randomly typed and ran spell check and not a king was in there. That started me to thinking about the homeless guy that seems to have taken residence in the back of building where I work. It's totally exposed, so it's not like he's in hiding. He has no possessions except what he wears.

The district were I work is several miles from the homeless mission, so he obviously lives in his own world. Sadly it's about being drunk and passing out.

We feel sorry for the guy, but he has a certain independence that you kinda envy.

Thanks Karen
Lyrics used to come quickly but that has been a long time ago. Usually I waste a week or thinking about it. After a while I give up and hit the record button and ad lib. When I got the chorus figured then the rest was written on the spot and sung. That's how I've been doing it for a while now. Still don't know why I waste the time thinking about it.

When I was younger (eons ago) I lived on the streets of Phoenix, Az; Boulder, Co; and the West Coast, for almost four years. During much of that period I slept outside and had to beg and scrounge in dumpsters to eat.

Although it's one thing to CHOOSE that life as I did, and another to have it thrust upon you ---as, perhaps, the fellow taking refuge in back of your building---this resonated with a place I still hold deep within me.

I do believe you nailed the spirit of the "drifter" in both your lyrics and your melody. No mean achievement, this!

on the street
I remember you mentioning that. There where a few way back when, when I was at least lucky enough to crash on friends couches, that went on for about a year. Even scarier these days when whole families have no home.

I think this guy (and he is still there) has given up on life. There have been others that have camped out in the back of building, but they seemed content with there life style and moved on to where their feet took them.

Thanks Jack
I've been know to drift in and out. People hate that when they're talking to me. I thought the aahs. would be a nice touch. I just can't seem to get that cool 2 part harmony yet. Thats my next hurdle.

the first solo took about 10 passes to get it right. the last on I got lucky and had it on the second try.

Thanks Nick
yeah i dread the lyric challenge. I've been trying different ways to stimulate the mind on that. for a while now ad lib along with the song, usually the chorus and after awhile something comes up. another thing I'm playing around with is typing randomly in a program and hit spell check that will switch words. pretty odd stuff comes up.

Thanks Len
At first I was struggling with approaching this vocally. I tried a few different melodies and finally got something that I could work with. I keep forgetting that the key of D is not the easiest for me to sing in.

Drifters Escape
Thats a cool rock a ballad song ..your singin here
as any other songs of your just so special and a
trye signature for all .loved the change theme that
was so cool .what a guitar work man !! ..thnx alot
for sharin !!!!!

I could
tell this was one of your songs even before you started singing.You have a certain way of recording guitars that is unique.Great song-the vocals,lyrics and production perfectly complement each other.I always enjoy the unpredictable twists and turns in your guitar playing!

Thanks Mark
I've got my system for recording the guitars figured out. It took a while. I also find that when I play my other guitars most of them will still sound the same. But some have tonal properties that help to broaden the sound. So I try to mix them in. plus, I play each track twice and set them opposite of each other.

By George
I wasn't even thinking Beatles when I put this together. The Epiphone DOT is a 335 semi hollow body that does produce the nice early George sound. and the aahs probably sealed the deal as well.

You sure remind me of the kinks
singer, Lazin on a Sunday Afternoon. You really have that texture in the voice. That voice really brings me back to my band days when the kinks were very popular. Nice to hear that voice texture again.

Plus of course the music is so original and well done.

You seem to have a better voice that the kinks singer. I better be careful he may be surfing around here. Now I am thinking, maybe you are the kinks singer. And you are like droop were we won't know how famous you are until it's revealed :)

Hey Dave
if you have a program that replaces words with spell check after random typing it comes up with some neat stuff. I'm going to explore that in the future. And I do remember your song, I actually thought about that before I posted.

There was one time when I was freelancing that all my progects where drying up, And I was seriously wondering how many shopping carts I would need to haul my stuff.... 8

I have always felt you have a true insight
into the human condition - realistic, unadorned, honest - your lyrics are always thought provoking [neither soft soap or soap box], just a lesson in humility and empathy. A beautiful song. I remember a story... about a good Samaritan... : )

hey madame x
after time you know so many people and you see what they are made of. unfortunately I have seen way to many tragedies with past friends who got lost along the way. It takes a lot to survive without getting cynical and to enjoy life.

Thanks Macca
If something doesn't work for me, it goes into the trash. I though this was kind of pretty but in a slight sad way. The night before I posted this I was starting to have second thoughts about the lyrics, but decided no, got to keep it real.

Thanks Bob
well, no one is long for this world, when it comes down to it. I know I appreciate everyday, even the bad ones, which then I try to forget.

I usually have a minimum of 3 different guitars in a mix to get some variety in the tones. I think it helps in the overall sound. Or I could be fooling myself, so I can find another excuse to buy another guitar.

Every year...
My home town hosts a hobo gathering and this tune very much embodies so many of the people I meet. Very few of them actually ride the rails these days, but they are all people who, at least at heart, just can't seem to settle down in one place very long. In so many ways, that's a so very attractive notion, just to be able to pull up stakes at any time and go where the day takes you.

I may have to learn this one and (with your permission, of course) play it around the campfire the next time the hobos are in town. I think they'd love it. (They're are some really great musicians in the group and I always have fun sitting in with them.)

Usually in the summer a lot of the homeless set up tents in the downtown on a wide grass meridian, urging the city for a "tent city". I think it's a good idea. It's safety in numbers when you can't lock the doors.

right then vic....
interesting slant on a topic all of us encounter ... sadly ... and yeah there is dignity in some of the most awful circumstances ... very strong beatles vibe here [strong compliment from me] ... ahhh mr. holman u did it again ... great, great tune!

take a sad song and make it.....
Thanks Bud,
It took me quite a while to figure out what to do vocally (lyrics & melody). hopefully they fit the feel of the music. Did the music almost a month ago and it sat & sat. I have a hard time having a song unfinished and hanging over my head.

No loops, played via midi board & quantized for that those miliseconds of info delay. I think what I should of done is one bass drum beat instead of 2. Now after not hearing it for a week the second beat pushes it.

My alter ego band "Horses Undecided" album is available at all music outlets. itunes, amazon, google play, spotify, etc.
I've also been fortunate to collaborate with Bud
Streets of Dehli
Everyday
And a few get togeth... [see more]